Welcome to the
10th Annual Getting Ready
for College Conference
Presented by: West County
College Access Network
“Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to
change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
Agenda
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Welcome
Goals/Objectives
Why College?
College Admission
College Preparation
Higher Learning Institutions
College Application
Student Personal Statement
Parent/Guardian Checklist
Paying for College
Closing
Why College?
 High school diploma is no longer enough
 Enables student to earn higher income and provides
chance to work in better conditions
 Enhances skills, knowledge and abilities (SKA)
 Offers opportunity for personal development and
future accomplishments
 Creates positive role model for community
 Provides quality life experiences – EXPOSURE
Why Invest in College?
College Admissions
College Prep over 4 Years
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
• Plan Out 4 Year
Class Schedule
• Grades
Matter!
• Take on
Academic
Challenges
• Apply to
Colleges
Early
• Explore
Extracurricular
Involvement
• Continue
Involvement
• Pursue
Leadership
Opportunities
• Meet
Provisions of
Admission
• Take PSAT
Exam
• File FAFSA
or California
Dream ACT
Application
• Maintain GPA
• Explore
Interest/College
Majors
• Prepare for
PSAT
• Explore
College
Majors/
Campuses
• Practice for
SAT and ACT
• Tour College
Campuses
• Apply for
Scholarships
• Continue to
EXCEL!
College!
10th and 11th Grade
•Ensure on track to complete A-G requirements
•Enroll in Advance Placement (AP) or College Courses
•Download SAT practice booklet – www.collegeboard.com
•Download ACT practice booklet – www.act.org
•Register for College Admission Exams – Check for fee waiver
•Pursue Leadership/Community Service/Volunteer Opportunities
•Visit School Counselor to learn about College Access Programs
available on campus
•Tour Colleges – Visit colleges websites regarding tour dates
•Create Scholarship Search Accounts – www.fastweb.com
•Research and Apply for scholarships – e.g. Nordstrom offers $10K
for high school juniors
12th Grade
•Visit school counselor to identify College Access Programs available
on high school campus
•Prepare a personal statement and resume
•Create a college binder/activity calendar/carry a flash drive
•Visit colleges websites to review specific admission requirements and
information for potential/future students
•Obtain 2-3 letters of recommendations – Ask teachers, counselors,
community leaders, and/or extracurricular activities/club leaders
•Obtain high school transcript and create list of extracurricular
activities, community or volunteer services, and/or awards
•Apply to colleges EARLY and check email account regularly
12th Grade Continued
• Create Scholarship Matching Accounts - www.fastweb.com
www.scholarshipexperts.com, www.studentscholarship.org
• Apply for Scholarships – local, state, national, civic, social,
check high school website, future attending college website, etc.
• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) –
www.fafsa.ed.gov or a California Dream ACT Application
www.caldreamact.org
• Create a Web4Grants (WGS) account–www.webgrants4students.org
or https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/
• Create a CSU Mentor account if applying or interested in learning
more about California State Universities (CSU) – www.csumentor.edu
• Continue to EXCEL!
Types of Institutions
•
Community
College
(2 years)
•Associate’s
Degree
University
(4 years)
•Bachelor’s
Degree
Proprietary
Schools
(6 months – 4 years)
•Certificate
•Associate’s
•Bachelor’s
•Masters
High School
Diploma/GED
Graduate or
Professional
School
(2-6 years)
•Masters
•Doctorate
College: Choosing the Best Fit
Factors to Consider:
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Areas of Interest/Majors
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Cost of Attendance (COA)
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Attend a CSU, UC, Public, or Private Institution
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College Term – Quarter (8-10 weeks) Semester (16-18 weeks)
Geographical Location
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(in-state, out-of-state or international student determines resident fees)
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Campus Life/Size
Impacted Majors and Campuses
Impacted Undergraduate Majors and Campuses in
the California State University (CSU) 2016-2017
 An undergraduate major or campus is designated as
impacted when the number of applications received
from fully qualified applicants during the initial filing
period exceeds the number of available spaces.
 CSUs Fullerton, Long Beach, San Diego, San Jose,
and San Luis Obispo campuses are impacted in all
majors.
College Applications
 College Applications may require:
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Official High School Transcript
Personal Statement
Letters of Recommendation
Standardized Test Scores – SAT and/or ACT
Financial Aid Application
(FAFSA/CA Dream Act Application/SAR)
College Applications Fee
 CSU campus admission application requires
a $55 fee (per application)
 UC campus admission application requires a
$70 fee (per application)
 Fees are nonrefundable, may not be
transferred to another term, and are
subject to change.
College Fee Waivers
Application Fee Waivers
 Community College: Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver
 CSU campus: California residents who demonstrate financial
need may qualify for an application fee waiver. Students are
allowed to submit application fee waivers to up to four CSU
campuses when they apply using the CSUMentor site.
 UC campus: Will waive application fees for up to four UC
campuses for qualified students who would otherwise be
unable to apply for admission. The fee waiver program is for
United States citizens, permanent residents, and applicants
eligible for AB540 benefits.
College Applications
Quick Glossary
 Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
 Student Aid Report (SAR) – Summary of information
completed on FAFSA
 Expected Family Contribution – (EFC)
Four (4) easy steps to access college glossary:
1) Visit https://fafsa.ed.gov
2) Click on About Us tab (located upper left corner)
3) Scroll down to More Infor (located lower right corner)
4) Click on Glossary
Personal Statement
Student’s Personal Story
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Opportunity to supplement application
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Describe challenging circumstances
and/or barriers overcome
Write about interests, talents, personal
experiences, 1st generation to attend
college, childhood, future academic and
career goals, and why student wants to
attend college
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Personal Statement (cont.)
Allocate Sufficient Time To:
• Drafting personal statement
• Reviewing personal statement
• Revising personal statement based on
feedback from two (2) reviewers
• Finalizing personal statement for
submission with college applications
and/or scholarships opportunities
Parent/Guardian Checklist
First 5
 Create a College Planning/Event Calendar with highlight
deadlines
 Establish deadlines for College Preparation Activities –
e.g. personal statement, college applications, create
WebGrants for Student Account, scholarships etc.
 Obtain high school transcript/awards/club activities
 Visit various colleges websites to ensure clear
understanding of college admission requirements
 Establish relationship with high school College Access
Program contact or “Google” College Checklist
Parent/Guardian Checklist (cont.)
Next 5
 Ensure student is on track with A-G requirements and passed
Exit Exam
 Visit various colleges websites and review information for
potential/future students
 Plan college tours – Visit selected colleges websites for tour
dates, discuss living arrangements, review Cost of
Attendance
 Network with family, friends, co-workers, and check social/civic
organizations regarding scholarship opportunities
 Check employer’s website for scholarship opportunities
Important Deadlines
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California State University (CSU) Applications: Fall 2015 filing period
- October 1 – November 30, 2015
WCCUSD PSAT (Juniors) and SAT (Seniors) scheduled during
school/home school
- October 14, 2015
• University of California (UC ) Application Fall 2015 filing period
- November 1-30, 2015
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Submit FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) or CA Dream Act Application
(www.caldreamact.org) Check with school regarding “Cash for College Night Workshop”
- January 1 – March 2, 2016
Note: Review Student Aid Report (SAR) and submit
corrections as soon as possible
College Admission Notifications – ( UC post admission online)
- March 1-30, 2016
• Submit Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by
- May 1, 2016
• Submit Official high school and college records by
- July 1, 2016
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FINANCIAL AID
What You’ll Learn Today
•Different forms of money for college
•How
to get it
•Where
•When
to get it
to get it
What are the costs?
Tuition & Fees
Room & Board
Transportation
Books & Supplies
+
Miscellaneous Living Expenses
Cost of Attendance (COA)
Grants
ScholarshipsWork-Study-
LOANS-
Sources of Financial Aid
Federal
Government
College
(institutional aid)
State
Government
outside/
private
Sources
GRANTS
Federal Aid
•Federal Pell Grant: need-based, up to $5,775
•Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grant: exceptional need, up to $4,000
State of California Aid
•Cal Grants
-Must be a CA resident or AB540 attending an
eligible institution in CA
-Must make satisfactory academic progress as
determined by the institution
Work Study
A need-based employment program that provides
on- and off-campus jobs to students.
The amount of work study is determined by FAFSA
Compensation is at least the current federal
minimum wage
A student must work for these funds
Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized
To understand the difference between the two, consider this:
When will interest begin to accrue?
Type
Need or
No Need
Interest
Subsidized
Stafford Loan
A need-based
loan
Interest is paid by the federal
government while a student is
in school at least ½ time,
during grace period, and
during authorized periods of
deferment
Unsubsidized
Stafford Loan
NOT a needbased loan
A student is always responsible
for paying interest
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WHAT?
US Citizen or Eligible NonCitizen
Undocumented/ AB540
Students
(Fill out Dream Application)
Foster Youth
Federal Financial Aid
(Pell Grant + State Aid + Institutional Aid+
Scholarships)
State Financial Aid
(State Aid + Institutional Aid+
Scholarships)
All Financial Aid
(Pell Grant+ Chaffee Grant+
State Aid + Institutional Aid+ Scholarships)
Applying for Financial Aid
FAFSA4caster
• Get a head start on the FAFSA application!
• Check out your financial aid eligibility before
12th grade at: http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
Financial Aid for
Undocumented Students-AB131
 AB131: Authorizes AB540 students to
apply for state aid:
 Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver
 Cal Grants
 Effective January 1, 2013
Financial Aid for
Undocumented Students-AB130
AB130: Authorizes AB540 students to apply for
privately funded scholarships given out by a CA
public college/university.
Effective January 1, 2012
Requirements:
-Be classified as AB540
-Scholarships’ requirements will be
implemented by each campus.
Financial Aid for
Undocumented Students
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Not eligible for FAFSA
Eligible for CA Dream Act
AB130
Private Universities
Private Scholarships
– www.E4FC.org
How can parents help?
Ensure students:
– Are aware of types and sources of financial aid
– Get help from their school to fill out the FAFSA
– Submit the FAFSA/CA Dream Application as early as
possible (if eligible)
– Do your Taxes early!!
– Check the SAR for accuracy
– Meet state deadlines for financial aid (3/2/16)
– Communicate with their institution’s office of
financial aid
New in 2016….
 FSA ID
 Federal
Student ID (replaces PIN)
 An FSA ID is a username and password that
you must use to log in to certain U.S.
Department of Education (ED) websites. Your
FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the
right to access your own personal information
on ED websites such as the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) at fafsa.gov.
www.fsaid.ed.gov
•Usually ONLY IF PRIVATE SCHOOL REQUESTS THIS FORM
•PROFILE Application deadline is February 1, please be aware that
on January 29, 30, 31, and February 1 activity on the PROFILE
website is heavy.
•The fee for the initial application and one college or program
report is $25. Additional reports are $16.
•A limited number (6 total) of fee waivers are granted automatically
— based on the information entered on the PROFILE application —
to students who are first-time college applicants and are from
families with low incomes and assets.
The Financial Aid Process
Complete
FAFSA/DREAM
APP
Receive and
review the
Student Aid
Report
Complete
verification
process
Receive and
review
Respond
Complete all
pending
processes
Award Offer
Renew FAFSA/
DREAM APP
every year
to college
(if selected)
Applying for Scholarships
What is a Scholarship?
 Money awarded (free) to students based on academic
or other achievements to help pay for education
expenses.
 Award Based on:
 Financial
need
 Merit
 Special
Talents
 Experiences, etc.
 NEVER pay to access scholarship information!
Scholarship Resources
Scholarships
Fastweb: Fastweb.com
Scholarships from all over the country.
East Bay Consortium Scholarship Directory:
eastbayconsortium.org
A variety of local and national scholarships.
Ed Fund: Edfundwest.org
For low-income WCCUSD seniors with a 2.5 GPA and above.
Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC): e4fc.org
Supporting undocumented students
The Gates Millennium Scholars: www.gmsp.org
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU!
kglosson@peralta.edu
Closing
 Attend Resource Fair
 Complete College Conference Evaluation
for entry into Conference Raffle
Closing Thought
If you can dream it, you can do it.
Walt Disney
Richmond Promise
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